“How did we get here, and what can I do to change it?”
When you share your voice, values, and life experiences with others, you create community—the living heart of democracy—and the possibilities for transformation are endless. EFC is an intergenerational community to address injustice and create a future where every voice is heard.
The Encampment is …
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If you are a young person (15-18) and want to develop your activism skills, apply to the Encampment. The 2026 Encampment application is open! Click to learn more.
News & Events
Ripple Effect – Samara Smith Alum Story
Samara Smith, 2015 MS “We always say ‘young people are the future and we are going to change things’ but often when you are in high school you are not really talking about these issues in person. You might be in an online group that’s talking about them or you might see social media posts about them but talking about them in person and actually meeting people whose lives are affected — that’s different.”
Shaping Social Justice Values, an Alum Update: Deanna Mousseau
Hello, I am Deanna Mousseau from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe. I was a part of the Encampment in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2015 and Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2016. I was an intern in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2017. I am excited to share more about myself, why I think the Encampment for Citizenship program is important, and why now is the time to support our emerging young leaders.
An Important Update from Margot Gibney
Every day, as we see lies, cruelty, inequality, and injustice as daily practices promoted by our current administration, I find myself thinking of Alice (Nanny) Pollitzer and Al Black, and why they established the Encampment for Citizenship (EFC). Having just emerged from a world war to stop fascism, they designed a program to give young people the tools to think critically and work for justice. As Al Black wrote in The Young Citizens, “The Encampment regards youth as a critically important element in the struggle between freedom and authoritarianism.”
Finding Common Ground–David Ginsberg Alum Story
What did you learn at the Encampment?
I learned a lot about people from different backgrounds which was the most important thing for me…. It sensitized me to their concerns and point of view…. Having people who came from such different backgrounds try to figure out how to get along together and not hurt each other and find commonality was an important lesson I learned: how to empathize with people and find common ground.
Alum Network
